One of the key announcements made during the inauguration ceremony of the modern Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) filling centre was the harmonisation and reduction of the domestic gas price to 6,500 FCFA for a 12.5kg cylinder.
The North West Region has become the second in the country to benefit from a LPG filling centre, inaugurated on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Bangshie, Bamendankwe, Bamenda I Subdivision, Mezam Division.
The centre was officially opened by the Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, representing the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr. Chief Joseph Dion Ngute.
This development comes as a major relief for households in the region, who have long suffered from shortages and inflated prices due to supply challenges and security-related disruptions. Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba hailed the Hydrocarbons Prices Stabilisation Fund (CSPH) for the timely completion of the project and described the centre as a special gift from the Head of State, President Paul Biya, to the people of the North West Region. “This centre is not just about gas distribution; it is about improving the quality of life for our population, reducing reliance on firewood, and fighting deforestation,” he noted.
He urged the population to make good use of the facility and called on the local authorities to ensure transparency, prevent fraud, and avoid discrimination in the management of the centre. The Minister also encouraged the CSPH to recruit staff from the region to foster local ownership and development.
The Director General of CSPH, Okie Johnson, expressed gratitude to the regional administration, the local population, and the private companies that contributed to the project’s realisation. He emphasized that the centre aligns with Cameroon’s national energy development plan and reflects the public sector’s commitment to improving access to clean and affordable energy.
Constructed on ten hectares of land, the ultra-modern gas facility features two main zones: an operational area and a residential area. The operational area includes gas cylinder filling halls, storage facilities, safety systems, administrative offices, and maintenance buildings. The residential section houses staff quarters, a clinic, restaurant, football field, and parking for gas tankers. Described as the first of its kind in the country, the centre is capable of filling over 600 gas cylinders per hour and storing over 400 cubic litres of gas, according to Kronakegha Uti, Director of Jens Production Ltd., the company that executed the project.
In recognition of the centre’s significance and the efforts that went into its completion, several personalities were honoured during the ceremony. Okie Johnson, DG of CSPH, was knighted and promoted to Officer of the Order of Valour. Other officials including the Divisional Officer of Bamenda I, the Mayor, traditional authorities, and members of the security forces also received medals.
The event concluded with the presentation of gifts to the Minister and CSPH leadership from various stakeholders, including the CPDM North West elite, the North West Regional Assembly, and traditional rulers.
The Bamenda LPG centre is expected to significantly improve gas supply in the region, reduce dependence on traditional fuels, create jobs, and contribute to local economic development.
Jude Viban, With Field Reports
